A woman is an adult female human, distinct from a girl or a boy/man, and the term “women” refers to the female human population collectively. The article on Wikipedia titled “Woman” provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects related to women, including their biology, roles in society, and contributions to different fields throughout history.
Biology and Gender
Biologically, women are characterized by their reproductive systems, which include the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. After reaching adulthood, women also develop breasts, which are capable of producing milk for infants. The biological differences between men and women have implications for health and medicine, particularly in areas such as gynecology and obstetrics.
The concept of gender, as discussed in the Wikipedia article on “Gender,” includes social, psychological, cultural, and behavioral aspects of being a man, woman, or other gender identity. Societal norms shape gender roles and expressions and vary across cultures and historical periods. While most cultures traditionally use a gender binary system, recognizing only men and women, some societies acknowledge additional gender categories, such as the hijras in South Asia.
Historical and Social Roles
Historically, women have been assigned different roles and responsibilities compared to men, often facing restrictions in areas like education and employment. Despite these challenges, women have made significant contributions to science, literature, and art. For example, before the 18th century, women in Europe commonly practiced obstetrics, but as medical education became formalized, the field became male-dominated due to women’s limited access to such education.
The social and economic roles of women have evolved over time, particularly in the 20th century with the advancement of women’s rights. Women have fought for and achieved greater equality in many societies, although disparities still exist. The feminist movement has been instrumental in challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for equal opportunities.
Language and Etymology
The etymology of the word “woman” traces back to Old English, where it was a compound of “wīf” (woman, female) and “mann” (person, human being). The term has undergone pronunciation and spelling changes over time, and in some dialects, “woman” and “women” are homophones.
Representation and Studies
Women’s representation in various fields and their portrayal in media and literature have been subjects of academic study. Gender studies, an interdisciplinary field, examines gender, gender identity, and gendered representation, including women’s studies, which focus on women, femininity, gender roles, politics, and feminism.
Summary
The Wikipedia article on “Woman” encapsulates the complexity and diversity of women’s experiences and identities. It highlights the biological distinctions, the evolving social and economic roles, and the significant contributions women have made and continue to make in all spheres of life. The article also touches on the linguistic aspects of the term “woman” and the academic study of gender, emphasizing the importance of understanding women’s roles in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman
A woman is an adult female human. Before adulthood, one is referred to as a girl (a female child or adolescent).
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Typically, women inherit a pair of X chromosomes, one from each parent, and are capable of pregnancy and giving birth from puberty until menopause. More generally, sex differentiation of the female fetus is governed by the lack of a present, or functioning, SRY-gene on either one of the respective sex chromosomes. Female anatomy is distinguished from male anatomy by the female reproductive system, which includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva. An adult woman generally has a wider pelvis, broader hips, and larger breasts than an adult man. Women typically have less facial and other body hair, have a higher body fat composition, and are on average shorter and less muscular than men.
Throughout human history, traditional gender roles have often defined and limited women's activities and opportunities, resulting in gender inequality; many religious doctrines and legal systems stipulate certain rules for women. With restrictions loosening during the 20th century in many societies, women have gained wider access to careers and the ability to pursue higher education. Violence against women, whether within families or in communities, has a long history and is primarily committed by men. Some women are denied reproductive rights. The movements and ideologies of feminism have a shared goal of achieving gender equality.
Trans women have a gender identity that does not align with their sex assignment at birth as male, while intersex women may have sex characteristics that do not fit typical notions of female biology.
English
Etymology
From Middle English womman, wimman, wifman, from Old English wīfmann (“woman”, literally “female person”), a compound of wīf (“woman, female”, whence English wife) + mann (“person, human being”, whence English man); thus equivalent to wife + man.